Coram Boy is a play written by Helen Edmundson with music composed by Adrian Sutton, based on the 2000 children's novel of the same name by Jamila Gavin, an epic adventure that concerns the theme of child cruelty. The play is called a "play with music," rather than a musical.
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Synopsis
The action takes place in 18th century The benevolent Thomas Coram has recently opened a Foundling Hospital in London called the "Coram Hospital for Deserted Children". Unscrupulous men, known as "Coram men", take advantage of the situation by promising desperate mothers to take their unwanted children to the hospital for a fee. The story follows a range of characters, focusing on two orphans – Toby, saved from an African slave ship and Aaron, the deserted son of the heir to an estate, as their lives become closely involved with this true and tragic episode of British social history.
Productions
The show was first staged at the National Theatre in London from November 2005 until February 4 2006, garnering good notices. It returned to the National Theatre from November 2006 to February 2007.[1] The play then moved to Broadway at the Imperial Theater, starting previews on April 16, 2007 and officially opening on May 2 2007. It closed on May 27 2007 after only 30 performances and 17 previews. [2] The show was nominated for six Tony Awards but did not win any. Melly Still was the director and co-designer of both the London and New York productions.
- 1st London Cast (2005 - 2006)
- Toby -- Akia Henry
- Alexander/Aaron (young) -- Anna Madeley
- Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -- Bertie Carvel
- Mrs. Lynch -- Ruth Gemmell
- Molly -- Chetna Pandya
- Mrs. Hendry -- Sharon Maharaj
- Otis Gardiner -- Paul Ritter
- Thomas Ledbury (adult) -- Stuart McLaughlin
- Thomas Claymore -- Adam Shipway
- Meshak -- Jack Tarlton
- Isobel Ashbrook -- Kelly Williams
- Edward Ashbrook -- Katherine Manners
- Miss Price -- Inika Leigh Wright
- Lord Ashbrook -- William Scott Massive
- Frederic Handel -- Nick Tizzard
- Mrs. Milcote -- Eve Matheson
- Alice Ashbrook -- Sophie Bould
- Thomas Ledbury (young) -- Abby Ford
- Lady Ashbrook -- Rebecca Johnson
- Melissa/Angel -- Justine Mitchell
- 2nd London Cast (2006 - 2007)
- Toby -- Debbie Korley
- Alexander/Aaron (young) -- Katherine Manners
- Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -- Bertie Carvel
- Mrs. Lynch -- Ruth Gemmell
- Molly -- Deeivya Meir
- Mrs. Hendry -- Sharon Maharaj
- Otis Gardiner -- Tim McMullen
- Thomas Ledbury (adult) -- Stuart McLaughlin
- Thomas Claymore -- Adam Shipway
- Meshak -- Al Weaver
- Isobel Ashbrook -- Kelly Williams
- Edward Ashbrook -- Hannah Storey
- Miss Price -- Inika Leigh Wright
- Lord Ashbrook -- William Scott Massive
- Frederic Handel -- Nick Tizzard
- Mrs. Milcote -- Clare Burt
- Alice Ashbrook -- Jenni Maitland
- Thomas Ledbury (young) -- Abby Ford
- Lady Ashbrook -- Rebecca Johnson
- Melissa/Angel -- Justine Mitchell
- Broadway Cast
- Toby -- Uzo Aduba
- Alexander/Aaron (young) -- Xanthe Elbrick
- Alexander Ashbrook (adult) -- Wayne Wilcox
- Mrs. Lynch -- Jan Maxwell
- Molly -- Jolly Abraham
- Mrs. Hendry -- Jacqueline Antaramian
- Otis Gardiner -- Bill Camp
- Thomas Ledbury (adult) -- Dashiell Eaves
- Thomas Claymore -- Tom Riis Farrell
- Meshak -- Brad Fleischer
- Isobel Ashbrook -- Karron Graves
- Edward Ashbrook -- Laura Heisler
- Miss Price -- Angela Lin
- Lord Ashbrook -- David Macdonald
- Frederic Handel -- Quentin Maré
- Mrs. Milcote -- Kathleen McNenny
- Alice Ashbrook -- Cristin Milioti
- Thomas Ledbury (young) -- Charlotte Parry
- Lady Ashbrook -- Christina Rouner
- Melissa/Angel -- Ivy Vahanian
Music
The music is performed by a 20-member onstage choir and a seven-piece chamber orchestra. The music includes parts or adaptations of Handel's Messiah and Theodora, as well as over an hour of original music consisting of songs, period-style dance and chamber music, as well as dramatic underscoring.[3]
Awards and nominations
Tony Award nominations (no wins):
- Best Featured Actress in a Play
- Xanthe Elbrick
- Jan Maxwell
- Best Direction of a Play
- Best Scenic Design of a Play
- Best Costume Design of a Play
- Best Lighting Design of a Play
2007 Theatre World Award - Xanthe Elbrick (winner) Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play:
- Xanthe Elbrick
- Jan Maxwell
Outer Critics Circle Award nominations (no wins):
- Outstanding New Broadway Play
- Outstanding Director of a Play (Lucille Lortel Award)
- Outstanding Set Design (Ti Green & Melly Still)
- Outstanding Lighting Design (Paule Constable)
References
- ^ Coram Boy. National Theatre (24 February 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
- ^ Andrew Gans (27 May 2007). Blue Boy: Coram Boy Closes on Broadway May 27. Playbill. Retrieved on 2007-05-31.
- ^ Information about the music
